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Sunday Read: Why Hillary May Be “The One” for Us

Who is best prepared to confront the enormous challenges the nation faces from ending the Iraq war to shoring up Americas middle class to confronting global climate change? The job requires a president who not only understands the changes needed to move the country forward but also possesses the discipline and skill to navigate the reality of the resistant Washington power structure to get things done. That candidate is New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton. From working for childrens rights as a young lawyer, to meeting with leaders around the world as first lady, to emerging as an effective legislator in her service as a senator, every stage of her life has prepared her for the presidency.

In case you haven’t heard yet, The Des Moines Register has decided who to endorse for President. This is probably one of the most important and potentially powerful endorsements leading up to the Iowa Caucus, as this very same endorsement helped John Edwards skyrocket from back of the pack in the late polls to a close 21% second place finish in the 2004 Caucus. And now that the paper’s editorial board picked Hillary this time, the media is already shifting its talk from “Hillary tanking?” to “Hillary comeback?”.

But let’s forget the media chatter for now. Do you agree with The DM Register’s reasoning here? Do you agree with them on Hillary being the most effective agent of change? Does she have the potential to be “the next FDR”? Is she one candidate on our side who is best able to work for change as our next President?

14 comments for “Sunday Read: Why Hillary May Be “The One” for Us”

No problem. That’s your prerogative. And you know what? I like Edwards, too. When he sticks to a positive “populist” message, he makes a lot of sense.

For me, I just have to ask who, among our Dem candidates, is best able to make the change that we so need become reality. Who has been tried by fire, tested constantly, and emerging stronger after every attack from the right-wing noise machine? Who has been fighting for working families for 35 years? And who has the best health care plans, climate change plans, and foreign policy proposals while also having a real plan of action to make them all happen?

For me, the answer is clear. I agree with The Des Moines Register’s editorial board. Hillary is our girl.

ghostof the eighties

December 16, 2007 at 11:26 am

Hillary has in the bag, everything is just smoke and mirrors to create a carnival atmosphere to keep the masses amused.
Remember, she knew what was going on at Mena Airport … if she really were a progressive, she could have shut it down.
But she wanted to be on the winning side …it’s all about Hillary!!!

Andrew Davey

December 16, 2007 at 12:20 pm

ghost-

Pardon me, but what the hell are you talking about? You lost me at “smoke & mirrors” and “Mena airport”. If you have something to say, please try to say it logically. Thanks.

anonymous

December 16, 2007 at 5:52 pm

I won’t vote for her. Not in Feb and not in November.

Andrew Davey

December 16, 2007 at 6:47 pm

Anon 5:52-

So you really think a CReep President would be better than Hillary? I guess if you want more evisceration of the Constitution, more climate crisis, more assault on the middle class, and more foreign policy blunders, then I guess you’re right. Btw, didn’t it feel good to vote for Nader in 2000? Look at what good ol’ Ralph got us…

Ellinorianne

December 16, 2007 at 7:07 pm

I agree Gary, I’m an Edwards supporter. I keep meaning to make it to the South County drinking liberally, but weekdays are so difficult with a four year and now a puppy (oh and a full time job).

I will vote for Hillary in the General Election though without hesitation.

Andrew Davey

December 16, 2007 at 7:17 pm

Elli-

I will vote for Hillary in the General Election though without hesitation.

You just made my day! I feel much better now, knowing that most folks commenting in this thread are same. Thanks.

Oh yes, and I’ll make the same pledge if Obama or Edwards is the nominee. I’d wholeheartedly support either in the GE. Let’s keep our eyes on the prize, folks! Let’s knock out the CReeps next year and elect a President who really will put people first!

Wuzzy

December 17, 2007 at 4:55 pm

In 1984 the Des Moines Register endorsed Mondale. 1988, Paul Simon. 1992, no endorsements, 1996, Bill Clinton ran uncontested, 2000, Bill Bradley. 2004 John Edwards. By this, it would seem that their endorsement is neither good news to Hillary’s supporters nor bad news to the supporters of other candidates. Certainly they appear not to be particularly good at handicapping the race, no matter how well intentioned their procedure is. Democrats are lucky this year to have so many eminently qualified people running. Let’s be careful not to demonize anyone so that we can all rally around our Democratic nominee.

Andrew Davey

December 17, 2007 at 5:41 pm

Wuzzy-

Thanks for the reasonable response. I appreciate that. However, I do take issue with the notion that the DMR nod means “nothing”.

I know the Obama and Edwards campaigns are doing what they can to downplay it, but just cuz’ they’re doing that doesn’t mean it means nothing. Edwards went from bottom of the pack to close 2nd place in 2004 after the DMR nod got him some needed attention, and it’s now forcing the media to stop fawning over Obama and start showing the race like it really is. The DMR endorsement can help change perception, and as it’s said- “perception is reality”.

Ralph didn’t give you Bush. The Supreme Court and the electoral college gave you Bush. That and the fact that Gore didn’t sue for a statewide Florida recount. I wrote my own thoughts about this once on my own little blog at http://thesunkenroad.livejournal.com/11207.html

wuzzy

December 18, 2007 at 10:28 pm

Aha! Now I get it! The DMR endorsement will change perception, stop Hillary’s free-fall and place her squarely into a close second place.

PS – Perhaps I should have been more articulate and said that the endorsement, while good news to Clinton, may not be as meaningful as her campaign would like and, similarly, may not be the bad news that the other campaigns would rather not get.

Andrew Davey

December 19, 2007 at 9:23 am

Wuzzy-

That’s precisely it… That is, that for the past 6 weeks the media has been pushing this “Hillary free fall” meme. But notice how ever since the DMR endorsement came out, the story has been changing. That’s my point. The media wanted a horserace, and they used Hillary’s mediocre performance at the 10/30 debate and one ABC/WaPo poll showing Obama up 4 in Iowa (which wasn’t all that different from their last poll in the summer) to create this narrative of “Hillary falling, Obama rising”. But now with Hillary snatching some good endorsements, a good debate showing last week, and some good polling, as well as Edwards (finally) getting some attention with a good poll for him and a cover story on Newsweek, I guess Obama must be worried now.

Is that why Team Obama tried to make something out of nothing with Bob Kerrey’s statements, and why they’re throwing scud attacks at John Edwards? Just askin’…